Lake County CHP officer awarded state Medal of Valor

A Lake County CHP officer was among 52 state employees to be awarded a Governor’s Medal of Valor last week in West Sacramento.

Officer Adam Garcia, responding to an accident call Jan. 27, 2013, climbed down a steep riverbank and into icy water to pull two people from a vehicle that slid off Highway 29 and flipped end-over-end down the embankment.

The engine burst into flames as Garcia climbed down the riverbank, where the vehicle was wedged with both doors jammed shut, according to CHP officials.

Garcia attempted to pull the driver through his window but initially was unable to do so because a cast on the victim’s leg was pinned under the dashboard, officials said. The officer then pulled the passenger over the driver and out the driver’s side window. Garcia then turned again to the driver and, through persistent tugging, was able to free the man and pull him through the window, officials said.

The Medal of Valor is the highest honor the state bestows on employees. More than 500 medals have been awarded since 1958, when the program began.